Greig McDonald isn’t looking at the Scottish League 2 table.
The East Fife manager is more interested in shorter-term targets – breaking the season into quarters and setting goals.
Speaking to Courier Sport as he prepares for a midweek training session and bounce game, McDonald is clearly enjoying his return to management.
Promoted from assistant, initially as caretaker, when Stevie Crawford left for Dundee United, the uptick in form was enough to convince the board to hand him the job permanently.
Improving mentality
McDonald explains what he, Paul Thomson – now his assistant – and goalkeeping coach Lindsay Hamilton are trying to instil.
“It’s about encouraging the young lads to get that mentality of they want to get better, just to embed that,” he adds.
“And also to get our own playing style on things embedded.
“Those are the short-term aims, the league table will take care of itself.”
What is that style of play? Since McDonald took charge there have been many wins but few clean sheets.
Does he set up his sides to outscore the opposition? “There’s a little bit of that,” he replies.
“There’s a little bit of that. We’ve got some very attack-minded players.
“So there’s a little bit of taking them off the leash.
“As a former defender I’d like to tighten up slightly at the back, but at the same time we want to go and attack and play attractive football.
“So it’s trying to find that balance – some weeks we’ll find it, other weeks we won’t.”
Bouncing back
McDonald, who spent time with the Thistle Weir Youth Academy before his return to Bayview as assistant to Crawford, says recruitment is ongoing.
Though his priorities lie with improving the young, talented squad at his disposal before he looks to add more experience.
He was impressed with the way his youthful side bounced back after being overpowered by Bonnyrigg Rose earlier in the season.
“You come up against some experienced professionals in this division,” says McDonald.
“We’ve had that a couple of times already in the first quarter where we probably lost a game through maybe a bit of inexperience.
“What they’ve shown, the Bonnyrigg game is a good example: we lost 3-0, probably bullied slightly in that game.
“We then bounce back and we’re able to beat Bonnyrigg away from home.
“If they can keep overcoming these challenges, or learning from them, we’re hopeful we can have a positive season.”
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